Kirby Killebrew

As we go through the annual Trade Deadline Speculation-Fest, we are all aquiver about the haul we might receive for Duran, Jax, Ryan, etc.  That's understandable, they should fetch handsome returns if traded.
However, to me, I wonder if we're asking the most important question -- what are our playoff chances in 2026?
As this is written, Baseball Reference gives us an 8.6 percent chance of making this year's playoffs. I'm not giving up on this year's team but the objective part of me realizes that our chances are slimmer than an airbrushed cover model.  So, if we trade Castro, Bader, Coulombe, etc., I'm not going to like it but it is justifiable, certainly.  
However, the question I'd like you to answer is, what do you think of our playoff chances in 2026?  Here's our projected roster as we sit today:
Catcher -- Jeffers 
1B -- Clemens
2B -- Keaschall 
SS -- Correa
3B -- Lewis
utility -- Lee
OF -- Buxton, Larnach, Wallner
We would need to add a catcher, another infielder (a right-handed bopper at first base would be extremely helpful), and a couple of outfielders (ditto on the big bopper).  Where those come from are the topics for the hot stove league -- our current fringe players, the guys in AAA, free agents, etc.
Starting pitchers -- Pablo, Ryan, Ober, Zebby, SWR, Festa
Relievers -- Duran, Jax, Varland, Stewart, Sands, Topa
Actually a surplus of one starter, but we know they'll all be needed.  The additional two relievers are hot stove fodder as well -- AAA, free agents, etc.
In broad strokes, IMO we have enough pitching.  We need to add one or two above-average bats (I'm thinking .280 hitters with 20+ HR potential), which I'm thinking is not unrealistic.
Back to the question -- do we have enough be a contender in 2026?  My answer is yes, which means we DO NOT trade away our controlled 2026 key pieces.  
Now, inquiring minds want to know.  What do you think -- do you see us as 2026 playoff contenders right now, do we stand pat with our 2026 key pieces or trade them away?

As we go through the annual Trade Deadline Speculation-Fest, we are all aquiver about the haul we might receive for Duran, Jax, Ryan, etc.  That's understandable, they should fetch handsome returns if traded.
However, to me, I wonder if we're asking the most important question -- what are our playoff chances in 2026?
As this is written, Baseball Reference gives us an 8.6 percent chance of making this year's playoffs. I'm not giving up on this year's team but the objective part of me realizes that our chances are slimmer than an airbrushed cover model.  So, if we trade Castro, Bader, Coulombe, etc., I'm not going to like it but it is justifiable, certainly.  
However, the question I'd like you to answer is, what do you think of our playoff chances in 2026?  Here's our projected roster as we sit today:
Catcher -- Jeffers 
1B -- Clemens
2B -- Keaschall 
SS -- Correa
3B -- Lewis
utility -- Lee
OF -- Buxton, Larnach, Wallner
We would need to add a catcher, another infielder (a right-handed bopper at first base would be extremely helpful), and a couple of outfielders (ditto on the big bopper).  Where those come from are the topics for the hot stove league -- our current fringe players, the guys in AAA, free agents, etc.
Starting pitchers -- Pablo, Ryan, Ober, Zebby, SWR, Festa
Relievers -- Duran, Jax, Varland, Stewart, Sands, Topa
Actually a surplus of one starter, but we know they'll all be needed.  The additional two relievers are hot stove fodder as well -- AAA, free agents, etc.
In broad strokes, IMO we have enough pitching.  We need to add one or two above-average bats (I'm thinking .280 hitters with 20+ HR potential), which I'm thinking is not unrealistic.
Back to the question -- do we have enough be a contender in 2026?  My answer is yes, which means we DO NOT trade away our controlled 2026 key pieces.  
Now, inquiring minds want to know.  What do you think -- do you see us as 2026 playoff contenders right now, do we stand pat with our 2026 key pieces or trade them away?

I like baseball movies that make me feel something. It might be the thrill of a big moment like the homerun in The Natural or Wild Thing's big entrance in Major League. I might be a nostalgia for the game, itself, like any of Costner's baseball movies, really. 1993's The Sandlot makes me feel and remember the pure joy of playing baseball as a kid with a bunch of crackpot friends! There are a lot of baseball flicks that showcase a team of kids and it's essential to bring out their personalities and makes them not just likeable, but loveable. The Sandlot nails this.

The story of The Sandlot is told through the eyes of new-kid-to-the-neighborhood, Scotty Smalls. He doesn't have any friends, he's struggling to bond with his stepfather, and unfortunately, he's hopeless at baseball. He gets invited to play sandlot ball with a group of local kids by Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez. The kids are baffled and astounded by Scotty's lack of baseball knowledge and ability. When they lose their last ball (a frequent occurance) Scotty sees his chance at redemption and offers to let them use his dad's baseball. Unfortunately, that ball is signed by Babe Ruth. Of course, they lose the ball over the wall where there is a junkyard and an absolute beast of a dog that has reached legendary status. The rest of the movie is about getting the ball back, enjoying summer, and a smattering of actually playing baseball. 

I can't emphasize enough how much I love the characters in this movie! Ham Porter, the chunky catcher played by a young Patrick Renna, is the hilarous big mouth on the team and steals a number of scenes. Squints, (Chauncey Leopardi), is kind of the brainy one with glasses who pulls off the biggest stunt imagineable in one of the single best scenes in baseball movie history. I mean, who can forget Wendy Peffercorn? Benny (Mike Vitar) is the stud player and all-around nice guy. Every player on the team has his quirks and even the ones that should be annoying, (I'm looking at you, "Yeah Yeah") somehow just work. I don't know that I've seen most of these actors again, but I can't imagine this movie with anyone else playing these roles. We even get a bit of James Earl Jones in here and that is always welcome. 
In case you can't tell already, The Sandlot is an absolute home run for me and one of my top 5 baseball movies of all time. It's just fun. It's of the most quoteable baseball movies (You're killing me, Smalls!) and unlike most other kid-focused baseball movies, it isn't about an adult coach, the kids pretty much run the whole show. If you love baseball, I don't see how you can't love this movie. If you don't care about baseball at all, you'll still probably love it. 
I'd love to hear your favorite scenes from The Sandlot. Don't like the movie? I gotta know why! Let me know in the comments
Bonus: Did you know that James Earl Jones has been in at least four baseball movies? He must have loved the game. Can you name them?
Run Time: 1 hr 41 min
Scorecard: Homerun to the second deck!

Best line: Adult Scotty as narrator: "Michael Squints Palledorous walked a little taller that day. And we had to tip our hats to him. He was lucky she hadn't beat the *crap* out of him. We wouldn't have blamed her."